YumaBev has Parkinson's Disease and a sense of humor! Funny stories and helpful tips about her life with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. Come laugh with her as she fights Parkinson's Disease with humor.

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Helpful Advice for My Friends and Family

Dear friends and family,

With the big holidays approaching, here is some advice from a person living with Parkinson's Disease to all my friends and family who don't know exactly what I go through each day. Please invite me to join you for whatever you have planned. Don't assume that I won't feel well enough to attend, but please try to understand why I MAY say no.

I have difficulty with fine motor skills, so please stop and think before you ask me to serve liquids or help put away those crystal wine glasses, there is nothing humorous about breaking glass or spilled gravy. I have trouble cutting meat into bite size pieces and maneuvering peas from the plate to my mouth, so I do much better with finger foods and stuff that won't fall off the fork when my hands won't cooperate. I feel uncomfortable eating around strangers, they tend to stare, and I know they can't help it, I find myself staring at people, too.

I really should take my 'dopamine' medicine on an empty stomach. Pretty much my entire daily routine is dictated by taking my medicines. Here is a sample day: 4:30 am woke up, took empty stomach, first thing of the day meds6:00 am ate a banana, need the potassium to prevent foot cramps6:45 am took dopamine medicine, stomach should be empty now 7:30 am ate some crackers, to settle my gurgling stomach8:30 am walked with neighbor9:00 am finally eating my breakfast, a big bowl of cereal12:30 pm ate lunch, which is usually my biggest meal of the day2:00 pm take dose of dopamine medicine, stomach empty again3:00 pm took a nap, have been up 11 hours already 6:00 pm ate dinner, which usually consists of a salad and sandwich9:00 pm ate a snack and another banana11:00 pm take last dose of dopamine and go to sleep

As you can see, eating a huge meal at 2 pm will just throw my day out of whack, but sometimes I do it anyway.

I can go from "on" (which is when my meds are working their best and I feel my best) to "off" (which means they aren't) in 10 minutes or less. This explains why I walked into the restaurant just fine, but moved slowly going out.

Stress and excitement aggravate my symptoms. Even good stuff, like weddings or other emotional parties can adversely affect me. An argument or shouting will have me shaking from head to toe.

This is why I usually spend the holidays with just my Wonderful Husband. We have a simple meal and a very calm day. It's not that I don't enjoy your company, it's just that I do better in more casual situations with smaller groups of people.Happy Holidays,YumaBevThank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. This is just one of a hundred stories in my book, Parkinson's Humor - Funny Stories about My Life with Parkinson's Disease. Please consider purchasing a copy from Amazon.com or your favorite online book seller. Thank you and have a Happy Parkie Day!

Bev this post helps me understand my husband better He is not talking about how and what he feels so I have to assume rather than know Now I know why he occasionally hesitates to visit relatives and friends. Thank you. Endurance

Thanks for sharing this. The echoes in my life are resonating loudly. I am affected by emotional events both happy and sad. I can go from on to off in seconds. I feel like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead When I am on my shaking is almost unnoticeable and Is very "good" But when I am off my shaking is severe and it is "horrid"Adrienne

Parkinson's Humor, the book, is now available online.

One of the Top Parkinson's Blogs of 2015, 2016 and 2017

Sherryl's YouTube Channel

Sherryl Klingelhofer, from Tillamook Oregon is a Master Fitness Trainer. Her Father had Parkinson's, so she developed certain exercises to help him. Now she makes videos of Parkinson's Specific exercises to help others with Parkinson's. Here is the link to her YouTube channel.

All about YumaBev

My name is Bev Ribaudo and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 47, but my symptoms started in my mid-30's. Humor comes naturally to me and a little disease like Parkinson's can't take it away. I have been married since 1985 to the most Wonderful Husband in the whole world. I like Photography and Karaoke.

IF you think you might have Parkinson's, check out these sites.

Yuma AZ Parkinson's Disease Support Group

The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets the first Monday of each month (except June, July, Aug and Sept) at 9 am at Daybreakers Cafe 10800 N Frontage Rd, Yuma AZ 85367 (I-8, exit #12 Fortuna Blvd, go north, on left, behind the truck stop). Everyone welcome, including care-partners and families of people with Parkinson's. For more info, contact Beverly at 928-246-2876 or via email at YumaBev@gmail.com